Bob questions Charles Kennedy at Party Conference

10.16.01pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 19th Sep 2005

Former Hove Lib Dem Councillor Bob Bailey tackled Party Leader Charles Kennedy MP at the Leader's Question Time, during the first day of the Liberal Democrat Party Conference in Blackpool.

Bob asked Charles Kennedy: 'Is the Tory Party leaderable?', to which Charles Kennedy questioned the long term prospects of the Tory Party, regardless of who is elected its leader.

Bob was the Borough and County Councillor for Brunswick & Adelaide ward, serving for a total of 16 years.

Meanwhile, speaking at the opening press conference of the Party's Autumn conference in Blackpool, Charles Kennedy MP, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, said:

"We meet here in Blackpool celebrating the best election result in the liberal tradition for the best part of a century.

"We achieved this result through seizing the agenda, and maintaining a principled, distinctive and independent approach to the big issues of the day.

"There is a real recognition in the country, especially in the current climate with the new anti-terrorism proposals, that the liberal voice needs to be heard.

"We are the party consistently to provide that voice, and the country can rest assured that in this parliament the Liberal Democrats will maintain our liberal and principled independence.

"But we must prepare ourselves for the task ahead.  That is what this conference is about - setting the framework for the current parliament.

"But the public will judge us most on the manner in which, with increasing self-confidence but never arrogance, we articulate our approach to British politics and the events of the day. 

"Tomorrow we will be introducing our new members of Parliament so the public and the press can see our young and energetic MPs.

"I think they will have a good impact on conference just as I know they are already having a big impact in their constituencies, in their regional media, and I am sure in the coming year, nationally too.

"The result of the General Election puts us in head to head competition with Labour.

"And it is this Labour Government that throughout this parliament we will be setting our sights on - and exposing their complacency, their arrogance and authoritarianism."